OOC: the dam is sport silver Ealavith, the sire is a brown sjirran per'nia-- Amareenth. Rumors also suggest that there's a contigent from Sjirra that will be present as well, but nothing has been confirmed or denied yet.

The Hatching happens at Windsong Weyr.


IC.
Wings spread across the sand, silver Ealavith rumbled impatiently, carefully nosing the nearest egg of the clutch she had produced weeks earlier. Thirty in all, the eggs gleamed faintly in the dimmed light of the Hatching Ground-- another clue that the eggs had hardened enough for the Hatching to be imminent.

And about time too!

If the effort of producing the eggs hadn't been enough, all those weeks she had spend watching after them had been a pain. Of-course she didn't really want to leave them, but it also meant that she spent most of her time worrying about the clutch. By now, she was a nervous wreck, ready for therapy.

"I guess that I should be glad that you won't have to acctually raise them. Thirty screaming kids at once-- it certainly would have me running, screaming too probably".

Eyes whirling, Ealavith snorted as she turned her head to look at the person who had spoken-- a silver grey winter dragon. Then she flicked her tongue, ::says she who claim she doesn't like children. But still adopts or Bond tons of them...::

The antennae on top of her head shifting, the winter dragon grinned. But then she looked over at the clutch, "just about everyone agrees that those are likely to hatch today, so you should be free of them quite soon. Surprisingly, I have even remembered to send out invitations-- it has been much too long since I arranged an open hatching or bonding anywhere".

Tail-tip creating a track in the sand as she sat back at her haunches, Grey One chuckled-- "as for kids, I haven't bothered with such for a long time. Either adopted or Bonded".

Holding back a chuckle as she stretched herself, Ealavith glanced at her clutch-- watching and listening for any signs of movements other than the usual. Then she heaved herself up and stood.
::Now however, I leave it to you to watch my eggs and deal with any guests as they arrive. I'll be hunting, and then I'll sun myself for a bit just outside::

With that, the sport silver turned and headed for the exit.


Tag anyone.

Kitarna looked around from Neirlth's neck. The L&D realm Queen Looked at Kit and snorted gently. **What are you looking for Kitarna?** Kit looked at her friend and shook her head. **Nothing old friend. It's just been a while since i've come to a new world** Kit dismounted and walked towards the hatching ground. The rest of the group hung back and waited until Kit called them. They didn't know how many of them were allowed into the hatching to bond. Kit moved slowly towards the Winter dragon. **Hello Silver one. I've come for the hatching. The rest of my family are outside. How many can come and bond and can the others watch?**

Lady Cinnamin closed the Gateway behind her as she arrived at Windsong Weyr. This was her first visit to this location, so she took a good look around herself to make sure she could remember its co-ordinates.

Invitation in hand, she headed for the Hatching ground; as she walked, she also double checked to see if she had remembered her gift pouch - she had. She was also ready to conjure fresh meat for the hatchlings, should the preparations not be completed.

As she entered the Hatching ground, she saw what she believed to be a Winter Dragon and a clutch of eggs. *I thought these were sport pernese and sjirran crosses?* she thought to herself. But she didn't let her confusion interfere with her manners.

"Greetings! I am Cinnamin" she stated, "I come by invitation to attend this wondrous event." As she finished, she bowed deeply to the Winter Dragon.

Tygress arrived with Tyram and Kaliska. Though they used Tyram's travel magic Tygress arrived in her newest form. She had recently awakened from a flying dream to find herself in a form similar to her Panth-drakis neice and nephew. She was furred in a pale cream with stripes of light brown and olive green her face was a bit more human than the typical panth but she had a pair of tuffed feline ears. Unlike the twins though Tygress had feathered wings with a base of mottled white and cream with bands the same color of her stripes. Hazel-green eyes were brighter and with a ring of amber around the pupil surrounded by a ring of grey-green.

As they entered Tygress was thrilled to see her old friend Grey One as hostess. The trio approached. "Thank you for the invitation old friend," Tygress said introducing tha half-drakis Kaliska and the ralsen Tyram. "This is a lovely Weyr, I know some friends looking to relocate I'll have to let them know about this place. It's mainly Kaliska that wants to stand but we are waiting for a couple of friends that should be arriving shortly, I hope..."

Silver Dragon.
Inclining her head in a greeting to the first arrivals, Grey One smiled.
"You would be the first ones to arrive other than some residents, and any of you are certainly welcome to Stand. If her temper may not be the best, I do not believe that the dam of the clutch will refuse, even if any of her children make choices that may seem strange".
Then she raised her hand to indicate the Stands, "there will be a feast afterwards of-course. But if you would like something to drink, or a light snack, simply request it from those you see wearing green uniforms. Those who wish to are welcome to watch naturaly".

Lady Cin.
As Grey One had greeted the first arrivals, one of her firelizards warned her of the arrival of more groups. So excusing herself to Kitarna and the others, she turned towards Lady Cin and her companions.
"Welcome to Windsong Weyr, all of you. The dam of the clutch is just outside, probably sunning herself by now-- but she should be here as the Hatching starts. That should not take long either".
With that, Grey One returned the bow.

"Light refreshments can be requested from those you see wearing green, while you wait. Judging by the dragons here, it shouldn't be long before the Hatching itself begins, the eggs being quite ready".

Tygress.
If the form was different, the voice was still much the same-- and Grey One gave a wide grin as she regarded Tygress.
"Flitting around the universes like I do these days, I hardly have time to see any old friends. So I am very glad to see you, even if it's in an unexpected form. Quite a suitable form too, if I may say so".
Chuckling, she turned towards the others as Tygress introduced them, "consider yourself welcomed, and I say the same for those thinking about moving here. Even if it's not my permanent home, I did have a hand in building it, and I have to admitt that I like this place".

"While you wait, which shouldn't be long hopefully, just jump at one of those in green for a drink or light snack. Likewise, there may be those willing to give those who want it the start of a tour at least".

-------------

Just then, a loud warble echoed through the huge cave. Then Ealavith entered-- followed by two zthlee dragons, both considerably larger than her. Not that the silver sport showed the sligh-*test*-('") sign of anxiousness over walking ahead of a pair of dragons that could quite easily have stepped at her.

Both zthlee dragons-- a scarred bronze and a gold that was only slightly larger, both were carrying four padded sacks that seemed to contain roundish objects. Then both stopped, laying down to make it easier for their riders to dismount. The rider of a bronze was a terranian, while the gold's rider was a human woman-- whose form abrubtly became that of a black, unicorn-like creature the moment her feet touched the ground.

Grey One forced back a chuckle at the expressions of some of those present at the arrival of the unexpected guests. Then she stood up, stretching her wings briefly before she spoke.

"I would also like to introduce Yanarid and Amalai of the kangard unicorns, as well as their dragons Sevanenenth and Dayshine. They bring with them eight zthlee dragon eggs, giving those who wish the opportunity to bond with one of the hatchlings. There will be one other addition as well, but you will be informed about it when the contigent bringing it arrives".

Just as Grey One closed her jaws when finished, a strange sound from Ealavith warned everyone about that something was happening. And within the clutch, a large egg wobbled violently-- cracks appearing in the shell...

Kit bowed her head and called the others in. Her three children ran in and stood by thier mother. The Twins Elta and Orla looked around and smiled, while their brother Rohan stood there shyly. Kit's siblings went into the stands to watch. Neko and Nekor went to get some food, but Nienya sat and watched her Twin Sister carefully. Kit still had the large wound on her side and Nienya was worried it might re-open again. Just then the egg started to wobbled and the cracks started to appear. Everyone turned and watched.

Cinnamin thanked the hostess for the welcome and started to head for the refeshments. As she walked across the sands she heard the egg crack. Turning swiftly enough for her wings to slap her in the face, she moved quickly to stand in a place easily seen by the hatchlings. Her thirst could wait...the hatchlings couldn't.

"I think about traveling again sometimes, but I have so many responsibilities on Panthran now. Tigerdragons and now suncheetahs and mooncheetahs."

Tyram grinned, "Her new form is rather approprate but I must admit it caused me a bit of a shock that first morning. Apparently she dreamed it and woke up this way. Her other forms come easier now as well. It's a joy being able to fly with one's mate." Tygress ducked her head and would have been blushing if in human form.
Kaliska was always eager at hatchings and smiled at the welcome. "Thank you Grey One." She turned and was taking everything in slowly stepping away from her cousin and the ralsen.

When the mother of the clutch arrived the joy of the occassion was slightly marred for Tygress by the sight of Sevanenenth and Yanarid. For some reason their pressence was associated with several events she didn't want to remember, but there were also joyous occassions when the two had been present as she was reminded by the announcement of the zthlee eggs. Tyram looked at her wondering at her odd reaction. "No worries dear, just a bit of paranoia."

And then the action started and the three took places around the clutch and watched eagerly awaiting the first hatchling....

OOC: more of a general post this time.

IC.
Managing to get its still blunt claws through the shell, the dragonet inside ripped, chirping as it created a sufficently large opening in the shell to allow it to get out. A moment later, it lay on the sand-- resting as it caught its breath after the huge effort of making its way out of the egg. Clearly larger and sturdier than a normal pernese dragon of the same color, the hatchling was a bright azure color. A closer look also revealed small, metallic freckled all over his body, glittering faintly as he moved. With a huge yawn, he then started to stand up-- only to scramble away as fast as he could with a shriek, as another egg shattered just next to him.

Ignoring the angry hiss from her brother, an almost neon-green hatchling turned her head to lick off a egg shard stuck to her back. Then she hummed quietly at herself, tilting her head as she regarded the strange beings around her. Just a moment later however, her eyes suddenly grew very big as she spotted the two zthlee dragons in the Hatching Ground. And sand flying, she threw herself around to hide behind the nearest person.

-------

"Ah, we probably should get those zthlee eggs down at the sand, as things seems to be progressing faster than we expected" Grey One said, not missing the glare given to her by Ealavith. Then she gave Tygress and the others a smile of appology, "would you mind helping moving one or two of the eggs to the other end of the Sands?"
Standing back at her hind-legs, she reached up to loosen two of the bags from Dayshine's harness, while the two riders handled one each. As she did so though, yet another egg hatched to release the dragonet inside-- a small but surprisingly sturdy white creature.

Standing quietly while others worked to remove the carry sacks and deposit the eggs on the sand, Sevanenenth slowly turned his head to look at Tygress. For a few moments, his large eyes even seemed to shimmer with amusement.
::Nothing bad will happen this time, you have our word on that, I would certainly not like to be anyone who might try. We do not usually hand eggs away like this, but certain events elsewhere has made it neccessary to create groups at as many planets as possible. There are starting to become fewer of us than we would like::
With that, he turned away again-- looking over at a doorway at the other side of the Sands, where a group wearing sjirran clothing were carrying in several covered baskets.

Kit watched the little hatching run from the bigger dragons. Herself and her children let out thoughts of calm and love. All hoping to impress one of the young dragons.

Cin was watching the hatching eagerly; one never knew what to expect from crossbreeding. The first seemed to be a metallic blue, the second a brightly colored green and the third pure white. They were all beautiful and their antics were downright funny. She giggled and mindsent happy welcoming thoughts as she continued to watch.

OOC: Cin doesn't care about breed, color or gender...as usual, she justs wants to bond as many as possible.

Tygress was surprised to hear from the Zthlee but she very much appreciated the reasurance. *Thank you,* she replied with a bow of her head before moving to see how she could assist in placement. Tyram was at her side helping as well. Kaliska was a bit overwhelmed by all the activity as eggs began to hatch and it seemed more surprises were arriving, and then she spotted another zthlee dragon this one very familiar to her. Mercury Fëanor made his way in accompanied by his rider the handsome halfelf traveler Antharon and two strange wolf creatures that seemed to be made of fire. Tyram tapped Tygress's shoulder. "Looks like our other friends have arrived." As he spoke the "wolves" changed to a human male with very red hair and a woman with dark auburn hair.
Introductions followed as well as could be managed in the shuffle... The two were Barden and Blysse Firekeeper, Firekeeper being their clan name and the two unrelated. Firekeepers were not just gifted in firemagics they were acctually Loremasters. Barden and Blysse were Gatherers, those that traveled to gather tales of other worlds.

OOC: and here's the first Impressions, will be more later of-course.

Whining, the neon green hatchling pushed her head against the legs of the person she had hidden behind. She didn't like those monster dragons, at all, they might inhale her accidentally. Or worse-- they might decide that she would make a good snack...

::I am Mriiareth, can't you tell them to go away..:: she pleaded to Kit, tail trembling.

----

Less nervous than his sister, but still clearly not comfortable in the presence of the two zthlees, the blue hatchling looked about for his match. Then his mind found another mind that he found he liked, and she was making a funny sound too!

Yereth chirped, tilting his head as he stopped in front of Cin, trying to figure out how she had made the sound he had heard. He liked that sound, and perhaps she could make more funny sounds too?

-----

::Not you, not you either, and definitely not you!::

Eyes flashing with red and yellow, the white hatchling crouched as he growled deep in his throat-- glaring at the black-eyed creature standing with the 'mountain dragon'. And he liked it even less when he sensed the amusement at his display from both rider and dragon.

They were laughing at him!

He would be big soon, too, and then he would find a way to laugh at them!

Tail flicking back and forth, the hatchling kept growling even as he approached the only person present who felt right to him. Then he sat back at his haunches to look up at Blysse.

::You are strange. I like you a lot better than the ones who laugh at me though. My name is Sesendith, you were a bit late though::

OOC: if anyone might be interested in taking on Ijlarin as a character, let me know. My idea is that the twins leave with one of the groups present at the end of the Hatching, and that might be more fun if another plays one of them.


IC.
Having moved further from the clutch once all the zthlee dragon eggs had been placed at the sands, Grey One inclined her head in a greeting to the newcommers.
"Consider yourself welcome to Windsong Weyr, all of you. And be free to join the candidates if you wish to," she said, looking over at Ealavith.

The sport did not seem to have any complains about the visitors-- though she had noticed them certainly, she was much more interested in watching her children hatch and Choose. So with a quick smile, Grey One turned her head to watch as well. Certainly the first three hatchlings didn't seem to have any trouble with finding those they wanted, and already more eggs were hatching.

Among them one of the zthlee eggs.

------

Standing on the left side of the crowd of candidates, the twins Yanaderil and Ijlarin watched the two clutches of eggs anxiously. At 27 years of age, they had just been judged old enough by their parents to attempt to Bond with a dragon. And between their own hopes that both of them might be found acceptable by a dragon and their father being there to watch, they both felt a certain pressure.

Though both of the twins had mostly taken after their terranian father in appearance, but both also had some feliai features from their mother. Yanaderil was the taller of the two, with the typical dark coloration and stronger build of a terranian. However, a closer look would reveal stripes of dark brown in his hair, and his facial features were the more feline ones typical of a feliai.

Ijlarin, while not than much shorter than her twin, was noticeably more slender of build and had a metallic tinge to her dark skin. Her hair was also a dark chestnut brown with slightly lighter stripes. Another thing that set her appart from her brother-- were her shorter and more rounded ears.

Trying to resist picking at imaginary specks of dust at the front of his tunic, Yanaderil kept his eyes at the eggs. There was shells seeming to be about to crack open in either clutch, but it was hard to try guessing which one that might be the first.

He also had to admitt that the thought of becoming a dragonrider was a bit frightening. Certainly he had some experience with his father's dragon, and the dragons among his fellow students. No way that he could imagine Sevanenenth as a dragonet needing constant care and training...

Of-course he would like to be a dragonrider, despite of the work it would add to his training as a magic-user, but it was worth it he was certain. Whether he was chosen by a zthlee dragon or a pernese dragon.

--------

At the same moment, two eggs hatched-- one pernese and one zthlee egg.

Not too happy about the large egg shard stuck at his wing, a dark bronze pernese hatchling with almost yellow underwings chittered angrily as he tried to dislodge the offending thing. He was a bit too eager to do so though, as his movements ended with that he crashed into another egg.

What followed was a shriek of anger and pain as the egg shattered and the bronze fell onto the unfortunate inhabitant. Within a few seconds though, both had ended up entangled in a pile-- the struggles of both making it impossible for either to get up.

Despite of that though, it was impossible to miss the cherry red color of the smaller dragonet's hide.


Further away, just past the spell barrier that had been raised by Yanarid to keep the larger zthlee dragon hatchlings from the pernese hatchlings, another dragonet had just exited its egg. Stretching and shifting limbs and wings as she grew familiar with the use of her muscles, a large brass stood among the remains of her egg.

------

Over by the sjirran contigent, there was a bit of a stirr as something emmerged from one of the baskets. And with a loud *mee-row* a rather large kitten with fluffy copper and black fur announced its presence.

Less nervous than his sister, but still clearly not comfortable in the presence of the two zthlees, the blue hatchling looked about for his match. Then his mind found another mind that he found he liked, and she was making a funny sound too!

Yereth chirped, tilting his head as he stopped in front of Cin, trying to figure out how she had made the sound he had heard. He liked that sound, and perhaps she could make more funny sounds too?

Cinnamin 'felt' Yereth's presence in her mind and his name was the first thing that came thru clearly. "Hello Yereth" she said quietly, "I'm Cinnamin, thank you for choosing me."

She also felt his newborn hunger; she looked around the area and saw the food that had been prepared for the hatchlings. She levitated one of the Pernese size buckets over and gave Yereth his first meal.

Cin picked up his curiosity about her giggles as well, "You like my sounds do you? *giggle* that one is called a giggle. It is a happy sound related to laughter, which you will probably hear from me often. I am usually a very happy person after all, and you make me very happy Yereth."

As she spoke, she continued to feed her hatchling... but she was also gradually moving them out of the main hatching area. Now that Impression had occured, it was better to get her new bondmate out of the way of his clutch sibs. But she didn't leave the area completely... after all, another hatchling might find her to be it's proper match too.